Rhode Island

NBC 10 I-Team: License plate cameras expand as privacy fears prompt pushback

Published

4 months ago

January 22, 2026

NBC 10 I-Team: License plate cameras expand as privacy fears prompt pushback

Rhode Island State Police want to install dozens of license plate–reading Flock cameras across the state, but not every community is on board.

State police have pitched the program in over 20 communities after receiving a federal COPS grant that includes $579,000 for 39 cameras.

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers that photograph the license plates of passing vehicles, and record details such as time, location, color and vehicle type.

The information is stored in a searchable database that police can use to look for specific vehicles by plate number or description.

Departments can also set alerts, so officers are notified in real time when a stolen vehicle or a suspect’s car is detected. Data is stored for 30 days before being permanently erased.

Town Council Vice President Keri Cronin spoke with NBC 10’s Tamara Sacharczyk about privacy concerns. (WJAR)

Although the cameras would be installed on state roads, state police must get permission from each community before moving forward.

So far, Warren is the only town to reject the proposal.

During a December meeting, town leaders raised concerns about data use and privacy. Town Council Vice President Keri Cronin said officials worry that as the technology evolves, access could expand in ways that threaten civil liberties.

Councilman Louis Rego said he received emails from residents who were uneasy about how the cameras would be operated and monitored, while Council President Joseph DePasquale questioned the legal implications of potential changes to the system in the future.

Flock cameras have been credited with helping solve hundreds of crimes statewide by alerting police to stolen vehicles and cars connected to criminal investigations.

When asked whether rejecting the program could hinder investigations, Cronin said no.

“I feel very safe and confident in the work of the Warren Police Department,” she said. “We just weren’t confident in how the information would ultimately be used.”

Just weeks after Warren rejected the proposal, Flock cameras were used in the search for the suspect in the Brown University shooting.

A license plate camera. (WJAR)

Authorities say tips about a gray Nissan rental car, along with data from license plate reader cameras, helped investigators track the suspect from Providence to Massachusetts and then New Hampshire. Manuel Neves Valente was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police said the surveillance system helped link the crimes and end a days-long manhunt.

Despite that track record, Cronin said residents made clear they do not want the technology.

“I think a lot of people are sleeping more soundly knowing they are not living in a surveillance state, that their civil liberties aren’t being violated,” she said. “I have great confidence in our police force.”

Other communities, including Cranston, are embracing the technology.

Cranston already has 29 Flock cameras at a cost of about $81,000 a year and is joining the State Police program for additional cameras at no cost.

“We have seized over 100 stolen vehicles since we started,” Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist said. “We’ve used it in homicide investigations, drive-by shootings and cases where we didn’t have a lot of leads. It helped expedite the arrest of some pretty dangerous individuals.”

Since 2021, Flock cameras have helped Cranston Police with 17 missing persons, 89 warrant arrests, 104 stolen vehicle arrests and 28 stolen property arrests.

The ACLU has warned that widespread use of license plate readers could allow authorities to track a person’s movements, drawing concerns as more cameras pop up statewide.

“Despite many attempts to get legislation passed to protect our privacy, which would include reasonable limits on how long data can be kept, how the data can be shared, and when police can put in requests to access the data. Flock cameras are still virtually unregulated in Rhode Island,” an ACLU statement said.

But when it comes to questioning the amount of surveillance, Winquist said for him, there’s no limit.

“We have hundreds and hundreds of miles of roadways,” he said. “In a perfect world, we would have a lot more cameras.”

Winquist said Rhode Island police share data with each other and with federal agencies, but not with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Winquist said safeguards are in place.

Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist spoke with NBC 10 about the cameras. (WJAR)

“It has to be used for official purposes only,” Winquist said. “It leaves a log of anyone who searches plates, and we conduct routine audits.”

Winquist said rejecting the program takes away an important investigative tool. “I think it’s unfortunate,” he said.

Cronin said the town is not permanently closing the door.

“If at some point there’s a new proposal where they put considerable thought into how the data would be used and safeguarded, we can always hear it again,” she said.

State police have not announced when the 39 cameras will be deployed.

The proposal has been submitted in the following communities:

Glocester, East Greenwich, Exeter, North Smithfield, Tiverton, Providence, Lincoln, Portsmouth, Bristol, Middletown, North Kingstown, Jamestown, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Johnston, Cumberland, Richmond, Westerly, South Kingstown, Newport and Warren.

Source link

Rhode Island

One Big Question After RHORI Renewal

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Press Room

Bravo cameras will be rolling in Rhode Island once again this summer.

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has officially been renewed for season two—and honestly, it’s no surprise. The newest addition to the Housewives franchise quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to strong ratings and early award buzz.

The Infidelity Allegations That Drove the Season

At the center of it all? The allegations of infidelity involving Rulla Nehme Pontarelli’s husband, Brian—a storyline that quickly became the season’s biggest talking point.

The situation even left Rulla questioning her future on the show, saying she would have to “think very long and hard about” returning for another season.

Will Rulla Return for Season 2?

Now that season two is officially happening, the big question is: will Rulla be back?

Fans certainly hope so. Rulla has been one of the most talked-about cast members on social media, and her storyline has driven much of the conversation around the show.

When and Where Filming Will Begin

If production follows last year’s schedule, filming will likely kick off in mid-June and run through mid-September—once again showcasing Rhode Island at its summer best.

For now, fans seem thrilled. The announcement sparked more than 100 excited comments on Facebook, with viewers eager for more drama, more glamour, and more Ocean State moments.

So don’t be surprised if you spot Bravo cameras popping up around Rhode Island again very soon.

40 Photos Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Stars Home For Sale

Built & owned by actress, celebrity chef & Real Housewife, D’Andra Simmons-this stylish & stunning award winning two story,5 bedroom modern is on a corner lot in prestigious Highland Park and its on sale for $5.2 Million.

Gallery Credit: Christine McKenny, Agent/ Allie Beth Allman & Associates

A Real Housewives Star Just Made $7.7M On Her Ridiculous Colorado Home

Kyle Richards, from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, just sold this ridiculously gorgeous home in Aspen, Colorado, for $7.7 Million. You’ve gotta see these pix…

Gallery Credit: Aspen MLS

The Gorga’s of The Real Housewives of New Jersey Put Their Jersey House Up For Sale

We learned from Patch.com that the couple is ready to get rid of their beautiful house in Toms River, New Jersey.

The stunning house is going for $2,450,000. It’s a beautiful house with a view of the bay.

It has 7 bedrooms 5 bathrooms and a pool but really it will be better if we show you this celebrity home that is up for sale in the Jersey Shore.

Gallery Credit: EeE

Source link

Rhode Island

Lieutenant governor candidate wants the office to be RI’s inspector general

Published

15 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Lieutenant governor candidate wants the office to be RI’s inspector general

Republican candidate John Loughlin proposes transforming the Rhode Island lieutenant governor’s office into an inspector general.
Loughlin aims to use the office’s staff and budget to investigate government waste, fraud, and corruption.
The state’s lieutenant governor role currently has few official duties beyond succeeding the governor if necessary.

Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.

Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”

“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”

Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?

The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.

“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”

The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.

He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.

Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.

He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.

Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general

Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.

Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.

Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.

“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.

Source link

Rhode Island

RI Lottery Numbers Midday, Numbers Evening winning numbers for May 10, 2026

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing

Midday: 9-9-9-0

Evening: 5-5-0-9

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing

01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing

01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link